John Izard Middleton

Who was John Izard Middleton?

John Izard Middleton was an American archeologist and artist.

Born just outside of Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of Mary Izard and Arthur Middleton. He was dubbed "the first American Classical Archaeologist" by Charles Eliot Norton. In 1810 he married Eliza Augusta Falconet, the daughter of a banker in Naples. Three children were born to the Middletons, but all died young. Middleton died in Paris in 1849. His remains were returned to the United States for burial at Middleton Place, South Carolina.

Admitted to Cambridge University in 1803, though it is doubtful if he resided, John Middleton spent a good part of his adult life traveling in France and in Italy. While in Italy he was attracted to the remains of ancient sites, particularly those in Latium. Inspired perhaps by the work of the Frenchman Louis-Charles-Francois Petit-Radel, Middleton made observations and sketches of the sites he visited. Middleton executed the drawings while traveling in Italy during 1808 and 1809 and considered his work an artistic achievement.